McLaren speed machine James Mathews is training with Adelaide in hope of snaring AFL lifeline
He only started playing footy as a 16-year-old and has just five SANFL games under his belt. But McLaren’s James Mathews is in with a chance of being picked up by the Crows.
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For many Adelaide Crows players this pre-season is about proving their worth to new coach Matthew Nicks.
For others it may be proving a point to themselves after the last two years.
James Mathews is hoping to show his worth and snare a spot on the Crows’ list at next week’s national, rookie or pre-season drafts.
He only played five SANFL games, and has been playing footy for just seven years, but the whippet-like 176cm 23-year-old left-footer has been given permission to train with the Crows during this pre-season, giving Adelaide coaching staff and list gurus a closer look at the intriguing prospect.
Not that they would have to go far as to a reminder of the x-factor Mathews can bring, though.
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In just his fourth game for the Crows’ SANFL side as a top-up player, on the big stage of a first semi final at Adelaide Oval, Mathews’ electrifying speed put Norwood to the sword as he finished with four goals, 13 disposals and three marks in Adelaide’s big win over the Redlegs to surge into the state league preliminary final.
The performance against the 2018 grand finalists by the lightning fast forward from McLaren came as a surprise to many Crows fans, starved of finals action for a second straight year, and keen SANFL observers.
Highly respected McLaren coach Gianni Petrucci, on the other hand, wasn’t surprised at all.
“When he gets his hands on the ball he makes something happen,” Petrucci told the Sunday Mail.
“He has elite attributes, which is why I recommended him to the Crows.
“When you are that small you have to have elite attributes, Caleb Daniel (of the Western Bulldogs at 168cm) is an elite ball user.
“James is a bit taller, but has elite speed.”
What makes Mathews’ rise even more remarkable is, like Nicks’ background, he only started playing footy as a teenager after focusing on soccer as a junior in McLaren Vale.
“He came to McLaren (Football Club) as a 16-year-old and he was a tiny little boy,” Petrucci said.
“He had one year of senior colts and was too old to continue, but they put in an application to see if he could play at the level because of his size, but that was rejected.
“So, he got smashed a bit in senior footy, but he just had that pace.”
Mathews has been joined at McLaren by younger brothers Lachlan (21), who is also on the Crows’ development list, and Henry at the club, with all three brothers playing a Great Southern League game together this year.
His rise has now put him in the mix for a rookie spot next week.
Petrucci said Mathews was worth taking a punt on.
“With the way football is going these days it’s the new vogue - small speedy forwards who can put on pressure, and that is James,” he said.
“I’m really happy we have gone back that way, it used to be that you were too small and they would try and teach taller players to play the game when you have people like James who are just naturals.
“There is plenty of young talent out there looking for a chance, people mature at different ages, there just needs to be opportunities for these late bloomers.”
